08/30/2010 - Read Brian Q. Newcomb's full No Better Than This review. Here are some excerpts: "Together with this great material, the recording adds to this being the best work from Mellencamp all the way back to that "Scarecrow" album, and "The Lonesome Jubilee..."

"Mellencamp has come to terms with the complexities, the push and pull of human existence and made a truce that allows his art to deal authentically with the whole complicated mess..." Read More

08/30/2010 - Read Anthony Kuzminski's of AntiMusic's The Screen Door Blog full No Better Than This review. Here are some excerpts: "John Mellencamp may be at his creative crest over the last few years and No Better Than This is a living example. While Mellencamp may be leaning his sound towards the past, heís capturing the ache of the world in lyrics that are full of cold fury and pleas for redemption..."

"Itís a rich record, steeped in the folk and blues of our countries past with themes that pinch you in the present..."

08/30/2010 - Read the full A- No Better Than This review by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazatte. Here are some excerpts: "To ears accustomed to overproduction and slick arrangements, it will sound primitive ... or refreshing..."

"Mellencampís story-songs contemplate lifeís meaning and mortality with lengthy verses and are dressed down in period arrangements and production..." Read More

08/29/2010 - Jeff Vrabel, editor in chief of Hilton Head Monthly and a verteran music writer whose work has appeared in Paste, RollingStone.com, Billboard, Playboy, No Depression, the Chicago Sun-Times and other outlets, connects the dots in his piece Hilton Head Monthly piece on No Better Than This and John's personal relationship to the greater Savannah area. It's on stands now. Read More

08/27/2010 - Read Tom Wilk's 4 out of 5 Stars No Better Than This review. Here is an excerpt: "the albumís 13 songs have an old-time feel with its mix of blues, folk and country but deliver
a contemporary message..." Read More

08/27/2010 - Read Drew Olson's full No Better Than This review. Here are some excerpts: "No Better Than This," which was released Tuesday on Rounder Records, is a stark, introspective throwback that is an impressively modest and more than mildly impressive collection of folk, blues and gospel with the sonic feel of an old field recording.."

"You can listen to it anywhere and feel like you're alone in a small room lit by a naked bulb..." Read More

08/26/2010 - John's new album, No Better Than This, is John's 10th top 10 album - it debuts at #10 on next weeks Billboard album chart! On top of its lofty arrival on the album chart, the album is #1 for the fourth week on the Americana Radio chart! Read More

08/26/2010 - Read Kristi York Wooten's on The Huffington Post full Mellencamp feature. Here are some excerpts: "But when Mellencamp set out to realize the musical vision behind this project, you know it had to be because he wanted to, not because he thought some stodgy music critic would froth over it..."

"Not surprisingly the frothing about the August 17-released No Better Than This has begun, and I have to say it's well-deserved..."

"As for the autobiographical elements on his latest album? With Mellencamp, it will never be about who's in his entourage or his bed, but rather what's on his mind and in his heart. He's always going on about something. As you listen to No Better Than This, you know the concepts he spends the most time pondering these days: life, death, love, and freedom, of course -- but he's now added grace, sorrow, memories and dreams, too..." Read More

08/26/2010 - Read People Magazine's 3.5 out of 4 Stars No Better Than This full review. Here are some excerpts: "a vintage-sounding set that shows just how far the heartland rocker has come from his days as John Cougar..."

"The inspired results include the uplifting shuffle "Save Some Time to Dream," which will conjure visions of a simpler, long-gone era..." Read More

08/25/2010 - Read Jeffrey Lee Puckett's of the Louisville, Kentucky's Courier Journal full review. Here is an excerpt: "It's an album that feels earned, rooted in experience and reflection..." Read More

08/25/2010 - Read Michael Berick's of Country Standard Time full review. Here are some excerpts: "What sounds like a conceptual exercise actually results in a richly rewarding album..."

"These raw, unvarnished performances hold a powerful quality. Mellencamp has sounded technically better in the past, but probably never as honest or heartfelt. His rough and growly vocals project an appealing one-take vibe, making the viewers feel like they are sitting in on a late night jam session..."

"A wonderfully rough-hewn piece of work, this reveals that Mellencamp may be getting older, but he is still creating vibrant, compelling music..." Read More

08/25/2010 - Read Andy Gill's of UK's The Independent full review. Here is an excerpt: "the kind of album that reminds you of the power and immediacy that sued to be not just integral to, but the beating heart of popular music." Read More